Gravel Calculator

Calculate how many cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons of gravel or crushed stone you need for your project. Supports rectangular and circular areas.

Rectangular / Square Area

Gravel Calculator FAQ

Common questions about calculating gravel for projects.

Formula: Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27

Convert inches to feet first: 3 inches = 0.25 ft.
Example: 10 ft × 10 ft at 3 inches deep:
(10 × 10 × 0.25) ÷ 27 = 25 ÷ 27 ≈ 0.93 cubic yards
Always add 10–15% for settling and waste.
It depends on the type:
  • Pea gravel: ~1.4 tons per cubic yard
  • Crushed stone: ~1.5 tons per cubic yard
  • Dense-graded aggregate: ~1.6–1.7 tons per cubic yard
This calculator includes the weight in your result.
A standard residential gravel driveway has two layers:
  • Base layer: 4 inches of compacted crushed stone for drainage and stability
  • Top layer: 2 inches of pea gravel or decorative gravel
Total: 4–6 inches. High-traffic or heavy-vehicle driveways may need 6–8 inches total.
One cubic yard of gravel weighs about 2,700–3,000 lbs, so you need approximately 54–60 bags of 50 lbs per cubic yard. Bagged gravel is convenient for small areas but costs much more per ton than bulk delivery. For anything over 0.5 cubic yards, bulk is usually more economical.
US average prices:
  • Pea gravel: $25–$55 per cubic yard
  • Crushed stone: $20–$45 per cubic yard
  • River rock: $50–$75 per cubic yard
Delivery typically adds $30–$100 per load. Prices vary significantly by region and supplier.